What Has The Free Speech Coalition Been Up To Lately

[Fausty]

The name is an absolute oxymoron at this point in time: Free Speech Coalition

Most of what I see coming out of their organization is a form of hyperventilating, overblown, "filesharing doom" nonsense that reminds of nothing more than "Don't Copy That Floppy" - pointless, and outdated before it's even written.

We approached them to discuss perhaps including some alternative perspectives on their demonization of "torrents" as the root of all evil. Perhaps, I suggested, talking with folks who actually work with these technologies and communities, in real life, might actually get a more accurate perspective on things than just panic mode hyperbole. Nope, not interested. That's their choice to make, of course, but it seems awfully small-minded.

Look: advocating suing people who share files, and general panic about sharing of information via the internet, is NOT "free speech" defense. Not even close. It may be justifiable, and it may or may not be the right thing to do in terms of the adult industry. But it is NOT FREE SPEECH PROTECTION.

Sheesh. Sorry, just had to say that out loud. Free speech IS under attack online, and you'd think the "porn industry" was concerned with that. Censorship is rampant and growing, many network-level tricks are being used by governments and religious extremists to squeeze various forms of adult content out of reach of most internet users. These are REAL issues, and the fact that the (US-based) adult industry seems utterly ignorant of them, or unconcerned - or both - is inexplicable. Panicking about filesharing is hardly the same level of concern as real censorship and pressure on freedom of expression online.

Win the battle, lose the war.

Anyway, the FSC is free to do what it chooses - but hiding under a name like "Free Speech Coalition," given their real agenda in terms of real actions and where money is spent, is absolutely dishonest and insulting. It would be like the Moral Majority renaming themselves "Diversity Celebration Coalition" - bullshit.

Fausty